Case for keys and the like



May 6, 1924.

. 1,493,429 w. R. BUXTON CASE FOR KEYS AND THE LIKE File d SeptQljZ, 1921 INVENTOR I W Z 2% ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 6,

yum'rso s'r Ares.

WARNER R.v Bux'roN, or LONGMEADOW incoaroanrnn, A ooaroanrro v or MASSACHUSETTS.

NTfO F FIC I MAssAoHnsn'rTs, Assienonro BuXroN.

CASE ron'KEYs Ann THEIQIKE.

Application filed September 12, 1921." Serial No. 500,060.

To all whom it mag concern:

Be it known that I, WARNER 'Rr-BUXTON,

a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Longmeadow, in the county of-Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented newand useful Improvements in Cases for arranged to swing out of the case along a substantially definite arc-like path. One example of the general type of key case, with which "this invention is concerned, is shown in U. S. Letters Patent, No. 1,261,692, granted to meon April 2, 1918.

This invention is particularly concerned with the provision of means, in a key case of the type described, whereby the key-supporting snap hooks may not only swing in the desired arc-like path into and out ofthe case but may also turn" about an axis substantially at right angles to that about which they swing.

According to this feature of the invention, the hooks are virtually swivelled, as well as pivoted, and can turn with the key when the latter is turned in the lock. -Or'- dinarily, the case is held in the palm of the hand with two or three fingers while the key is held between the thumb and first finger and, in turning the key in the look, a side strain is applied to th snap hook which tendsto open it or distort it. Due to this condition, specially constructed hooks have been provided for key cases to prevent the keys from coming off the snap hooks when thus placed under strain. With the.

I provision for the swivelling movement, the hook will turn relatively to the case, under such conditions, and the undesirable side strains usually imposed are avoided. Also the hooks may swivel while enclosed within the case to enable the keys to pack down into small compass.

The object of this invention is to provide an improved hook for the purpose set forth and one which is of simple construction and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Other features of the invention will appear in the following description and in the illustrative embodimentof the invention in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational'view of ackey case embodying the invention, the flaps of the case being shown in open position;

"Fig. 2 is asimilarview of the key case with the flaps closed;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional viewtaken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; v

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are front elevational, side elevational, and top plan views, respectively,

of the snap hook; and 1 of the hook supporting member.

Referring to these drawings, the case Fig.- 7 is a fragmentary perspective view 11, may be held together inoverlapping relation by-any suitable means, such as the interengagable male. and female fasteners shown at 12 and 13' respectively. n a

The back 10 is suitably provided along its upper edge with a pivotal support for a series of snap hooks h. Preferably, although not necessarily, this support is afforded by a separate member, such as 14, which I also term a key holder and which is suitable means, of which the eyelets 15 are adapted to be secured to the back 10 by some an exemplification. The member 14;, rof

,erably of thin sheet metal, is also provided with a series of sockets 16 in which are received suitably formed heads 17 on the upper ends of the shanks 18 of the snap hooks it. These heads 17 are arranged to so engage the sockets 16 that the hooks may not only swing relativelyto the support 14; in a substantially definite arc-like path but may also swivel about an axis at right angles to that about which they turn and this swivelling may occur at any of the many positions which'the hooks may assume during this swinging movement.

Acording to the broad features of the invention the precise location of the swivel connection is not important. However, for convenience and simplicity I prefer to in corporate the swivel connection with the pivotal connection, although this arrangement may be readily varied and still embody 'my invention. Likewise the precise way in which the sockets 16 are constructed and interengage with the heads 17 for 00- operative action is immaterial so far as the broader aspects of the invention are concerned.

As an illustrative example of one suitable and advantageous way of accomplishing the desired results, the sockets 1.6 are formed by rolling up one end of the support 14: into hollow cylindrical form, such end having been previously provided at a series of longitudinally spaced points with slots, such as 19, whereby a series of axially-aligned and axially spaced hollow cylindrical members are formed. Each member 19 is preferably spaced from its adjacent member a distance substantially commensurate with the width of the shank 18 of hook h to limit and restrain the hook againstsidewise movement, although of course, some clearance between the shank 18 and members 20 is necessary for practical purposes.

The heads 17 may be advantageously formed as shown in Figs. 1, 5 and 6. That is, the upper portion of shank 18 is bent at right angles thereto forming a portion 21 and the end of such portion is coiled concentrically about the shank forming a ring 22 which is closed, or substantially so, and which lies in a plane at rightangles to the shank 18. The diameter of ring 22 is substantially that of the sockets 16 and the ring lies partially in the end of one socket and partially in the end of the other socket with the shank 18 disposed between these sockets, free to swing up and down in the slot 19. Thus, the books it may not only swing outof the case in the desired arc-like path but they are also always free to turn Or swivel about an axis at right angles to that about which they are ada ted to swing.

The hooks h may be various y constructed to receive and removably support keys k or other similar articles and this invention is independent of the particular style of hook used although the particular form shown in Fig. 5 has been found particularly advantageous and desirable.

The invention has been disclosed herein, in an embodiment at present preferred, for

illustrative purposes but the scope of the invention is define-d by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description.

What I claim is:

1. A swivelling hook for key cases and the like, the shank of which has a portion bent into the form of a circle with the axis of the latter disposed in substantially parallel relation with the shank.

. 2.. A swivelling hook for key cases and the like, the shank of which has a portion bent at substantially right angles thereto and then coiled into ring form, the axis of said ring disposed in substantially parallel and concentric relation with the body of the shank. 3. A swivelling hook for key cases and the like, the shank of which has a portion bent into the form of a circle with the axis of the latter disposed in substantially parallel and concentric relation with the shank.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature.

' \VARNER R. BUXTON. 

